Helsinki Train Station
Helsinki Train Station
About Helsinki Railway Station
About Helsinki Railway Station
Helsinki Central Railway Station is the main railway station in Finland and the primary hub for both long-distance trains and commuter trains serving the capital. The station is located right at the heart of Helsinki — in central Helsinki, just steps from the city centre — which makes it easy for travelers making their way to and from any point in the country. Up to 250,000 visitors pass through the station daily, making it one of Finland's busiest and most recognizable public buildings. In 2013, the BBC named Helsinki Central Station one of the world's most beautiful railway stations — a recognition that surprises no one who has passed through its grand entrance hall. Here at the station you will find 19 platform tracks, with commuter trains departing from the western wing platforms and long-distance trains served from the main platform area inside the station building. Besides platforms, the station offers excellent amenities — find them below.
A Night Train from Helsinki
A Night Train from Helsinki
Traveling by train at night is one of the most comfortable ways to begin a journey from Helsinki Central Station. Passengers can admire the stunning scenery while enjoying a meal or drinks before retiring to bed. You can sleep comfortably knowing there will be no disruptions to your journey, and you'll arrive at your final destination refreshed and ready to explore — no taxi to arrange, no early airport run. Plan your trip now and enjoy a night train from Helsinki!
Helsinki Central Railway Station
Helsinki Central Railway Station
Facilities & Services:
- Assistance service at the station for travelers with disabilities (book 48 hours in advance)
- Luggage lockers available from 6 a.m. to midnight
- Soundproofed workspace booths — first class travelers can use workspaces free for the first 30 minutes
- Ticket vending machines and a Customer Point for travel advice and ticket sales
- Public restrooms
- On-site restaurants and cafes, shops, and a pharmacy in the kiosk hall and western end of the station building
- ATMs and currency exchange services
Address: Kaivokatu 1, 00100 Helsinki
Open hours: 05.00 - 02.00
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Routes via Helsinki Station
Routes via Helsinki Station
Check out other Rail Stations in Finland
Check out other Rail Stations in Finland
FAQ: Helsinki Train Station
FAQ: Helsinki Train Station
Helsinki Central Station is the main station and terminus for all long-distance trains and commuter trains departing from and arriving in Helsinki, Finland. The station serves up to 250,000 visitors daily and is one of Finland's most recognizable public buildings. It functions as the central hub for the entire Finnish railway network, with connections to public transport including Helsinki Metro, local buses, and trams directly outside the main entrance. Helsinki Airport is accessible via commuter rail service directly from the station, with trains running every 10 minutes during peak hours.
Helsinki Central Railway Station was designed by architect Eliel Saarinen, who won the design competition in 1904. The first railway station in Helsinki was built by Carl Albert Edelfelt and opened for traffic on 17 March 1862 — but as railways grew and the city expanded, the station turned too small, and producing plans for a new station became necessary. Saarinen's original entry was a pure national romanticist design, but following a vigorous debate among architects and critics about the appropriate architectural direction, he re-designed the station completely, abandoned romanticism altogether, and moved toward a more rational style. The station was completed and inaugurated on 5 March 1919, after 15 years of construction — making it a landmark of a newly independent Finland.
The station building is clad in Finnish granite from Hanko and is one of the finest examples of the transition from National Romantic style toward a cleaner, more rational Art Deco aesthetic — an Art Nouveau building reimagined in granite and monumental form. Its most iconic distinguishing features are the clock tower, which stands 48.5 meters tall, and the two pairs of massive statue figures flanking the main entrance — the famous Stone Men, or Lyhdynkantajat (Lantern Bearers), created by sculptor Emil Wikström. These figures hold spherical lamps that illuminate the entrance hall at night time, making the station an unforgettable sight after dark. The central hall has an area of approximately 780 square meters, and the station has been declared a national monument in Finland.
Helsinki Central Station has 19 platform tracks in total. Platforms 4–11 accommodate long-distance trains within the main station building, while platforms in the western wing serve commuter trains on routes including Leppävaara and the Ring Rail Line (Kehärata) to Helsinki Airport. The platform area is accessed from the station hall via the indoor concourse, and there are no ticket barriers — access to all platforms is free, though tickets are strictly checked by conductors on board. It is recommended to arrive at the station at least 20 minutes before departure to find the correct platform without rushing.
Helsinki Central Station is the focal point of public transport in the capital and is extremely well-connected. The Helsinki Metro Rautatientori station is located directly under the main station building, accessible via escalator from the station hall. Most Helsinki tram routes pass in front of or to the west of the station building. Local buses stop on both the east and west sides of the main station. Helsinki Airport is accessible from the station via commuter rail service — the Ring Rail Line runs directly to the airport in approximately 30 minutes, with trains departing every 10 minutes during peak hours. The station is also within walking distance of central Helsinki's main shopping streets, Eliel Square, and the Kiosk Hall area along the western end of the building.
The kiosk hall and wider station building at Helsinki Central house a broad range of services for train passengers and visitors. Restaurants and cafes include Café Eliel, Robert's Coffee, Olivia Brasserie (Italian cuisine), Burger King — housed in the historic former waiting hall with its original high ceilings — and several other dining and fast-food options. A pharmacy, supermarket, and various shops are located on the underground level and street level of the station building, in the vicinity of the luggage lockers and ticket offices. The new Customer Point near the main entrance provides travel advice and ticket sales for VR services. Average spend for a snack or coffee at the station is around €8–12.
Yes — Helsinki Central Station is a national monument and one of the most protected historic buildings in Finland. The station building was completed in 1919 and has been declared a national monument recognizing its architectural and cultural significance. The central hall, clock tower, Stone Men statues, and Finnish granite facade are all preserved as part of the station's protected status. In 2013, the BBC named Helsinki Central one of the world's most beautiful railway stations — a title that reflects both its architectural distinction and its continued role as the beating heart of rail travel in Finland.